WORLD NEWS FLASH
UNITED STATES
Less than two weeks after the former President of the United States was found guilty, the current President has seen his son suffer the same fate.
On June 11, 2024, a jury of his peers in Delaware found Robert Hunter Biden guilty on three counts of lying about his status as a drug user in purchasing a gun. The jury took less than two days to come up with the verdict, similar to the jury that convicted former President Donald J. Trump in a hush money case in New York. While that case was rife with concerns about prosecutorial and even judicial misconduct, no one is doubting anything in this case to that level, as it seemed pretty cut and dry.
The three charges stemming from 2018 that Biden was convicted on were: unlawfully possessing a gun as a drug user, lying on a federal form when buying the gun, and making a false statement about information collected by a federally licensed gun dealer. Biden is also facing a separate case of tax evasion in September. All of this comes after Judge Maryann Noreika rejected a plea deal that would have given Biden a slap on the wrist for all the crimes combined.
Upon sentencing, Biden faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $750,000. However, since he’s a first time offender, like Trump, he will likely not receive a maximum sentence.
Among those reacting to the verdict was the current Commander-in-Chief, Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
“As I said last week, I am the President, but I am also a Dad. Jill and I love our son, and we are so proud of the man he is today. So many families who have had loved ones battle addiction understand the feeling of pride seeing someone you love come out the other side and be so strong and resilient in recovery.
“As I also said last week, I will accept the outcome of this case and will continue to respect the judicial process as Hunter considers an appeal. Jill and I will always be there for Hunter and the rest of our family with our love and support. Nothing will ever change that.”
Meanwhile, the convicted Trump also responded in a statement, through his campaign’s National Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt:
“This trial has been nothing more than a distraction from the real crimes of the Biden Crime Family, which has raked in tens of millions of dollars from China, Russia and Ukraine. Crooked Joe Biden’s reign over the Biden Family Criminal Empire is all coming to an end on November 5th, and never again will a Biden sell government access for personal profit.”
Also, “Local Talk” contributor Thomas Ellis II gave his own perspective on the verdict.
“As an advocate against guns and violence, and a victim of gun violence shot multiple times and left for dead on the streets, it serves Hunter Biden right. He was very irresponsible with the gun he purchased, when he knew he wasn’t supposed to own a gun because of his addiction. This was justice for all those who have been affected by gun violence. #avictimsperspective.”
MASS SHOOTING UPDATE
Information recent as of 6-11-2024 at 12 p.m.
2024 Mass Shooting Stats: (Source: Mass Shooting Tracker – https://www.massshootingtracker.site/data/?year=2024)
- Total Mass Shootings: 246
- Total Dead: 318
- Total Wounded: 968
- Shootings Per Day: 1.51
- Days Reached in Year 2024 as of June 11: 163
MIDDLE EAST
COUNCIL ADOPTS GAZA CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION
The UN Security Council on June 10 adopted a resolution aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire deal in three phases to end the war in Gaza, with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield telling members “today, we voted for peace.”
The United States-drafted text calls for Hamas to accept a ceasefire proposal announced on May 31 by President Joe Biden that has already been accepted by Israel.
Adopted by a large majority with 14 votes in favor and Russia abstaining – choosing not to exercise its veto power – the resolution also urges both parties to fully implement the terms of the proposal “without delay and without condition.”
Russia’s Permanent Representative told the Council after the vote there was a lack of clarity over what exactly Israel had signed up to in the resolution, leaving too many questions unanswered for Moscow to offer its support.
President Biden described the deal as “not just a ceasefire that would inevitably be fragile and temporary” but one that would provide a “durable end to the war.”
He added that the terms of the deal had been transmitted by Qatar to the leadership of Hamas.
Signaling a hopeful shift in diplomacy, the US-led initiative brought both Israel and the Palestinian mission on board, avoiding the vetoes from permanent members – including the US itself – which have stalled action on several of the resolutions which have failed to pass since the October 7 terror attacks and kidnappings began the cycle of violence.
The motion envisages a three phase approach to ensure a lasting and comprehensive end to the fighting.
Phase one includes an “immediate, full, and complete ceasefire with the release of hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded, the return of the remains of some hostages who have been killed, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners.”
It calls for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from “populated areas” of Gaza, the return of Palestinians to their homes and neighborhoods throughout the enclave, including in the north, as well as the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian assistance at scale.
Phase two would see a permanent end to hostilities “in exchange for the release of all other hostages still in Gaza, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”
In phase three, “a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza” would begin and the remains of any deceased hostages still in the Strip would be returned to Israel.
The Council also underlined the proposal’s provision that if negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will continue as long as negotiations continue.
In the resolution, the Security Council rejects any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce the territory of the enclave.
The text also reiterates the Council’s “unwavering commitment” to the vision of the two-State solution where two democratic States, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
“In this regard stresses the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority,” the resolution added.
